Ralph L. Wickiser (1910-1998) was an influential American painter and educator whose paintings explore abstraction, representational art and ultimately a unique synthesis of these styles. As an art educator, Wickiser served as chairman of the art departments at Louisiana State University, Baton Rouge, State University of New York (SUNY), New Paltz, and Pratt Institute in Brooklyn, New York.

As an exhibiting artist, Wickiser had a distinguished career with numerous shows in galleries and museums around the country. He was a prominent figure of the artist colony in Woodstock, New York, where he built a home and studio. Stylistically, Wickiser followed his own direction rather than the trends of the day, and the 26 works in this retrospective exhibition demonstrate that his paintings continue to be aesthetically fresh and interesting today.

Ralph L. Wickiser: A Retrospective was coordinatedwith the artist’s son, Walter Wickiser, who owns a gallery in the Chelsea area of New York City. All works in this exhibition are on loan courtesy of the Walter Wickiser Gallery.